Kids sell shave ice to raise money for college | Business

"Our most popular flavors are blue Hawaiian, strawberry and pina colada," 11-year-old Ava Wright told me confidently.

She runs Kuloko's Hawaiian Shave Ice stand out of Snohomish with brother, 14-year-old Koa.

"It's fun but kind of hectic too," Ava said.

The pair began serving authentic shave ice in a lemonade-stand fashion about five years ago, but just recently got a business license to take Kuloko's to the next level.

"It's so much fun to learn about business," Ava said. It'll come in handy as she applies to her dream school - the UW - and later trains to be a professional baker.

Remember - these kids aren't even in high school yet.

"We said - lets learn a little bit about running a business in an effort to save money for college," explained their dad Ford Wright. He's from Hawaii, so a shave ice stand seemed like a good fit.

One of their first orders of business was to give their rusty old truck a makeover.

Ava and Koa wrote an email to famous Hawaiian surf artist Heather Brown to inquire about her doing the artwork for their truck. Ford said they initially were turned down, but he urged them to write a thank-you note back.

She apparently loved their idea so much that she took it to her team, who agreed to let her take on the project. Ford said she did it free of charge.

"If you have an idea and you can speak to that idea - things can happen," Ford said. He said one of their family mottos is to work hard and appreciate what you have.

When Ava and Koa are hired for a fundraiser or event, they always donate a percentage of the proceeds to that organization. Some of the money they make during Kla Ha Ya Days this summer will be given to the Kiwanis Club.

"It feels so good to give back," Ava said.

You can find them at a number of events around town this summer, or outside Chuck's Seafood Grotto when it's sunny. The schedule will be posted on their Facebook page, but Ford says don't expect to see them out everyday.

"They're just kids," he said.

Go see Ava and Koa this Saturday afternoon outside Chuck's, 1229 1st Street. Each shave ice costs $4-5 plus add-ins like ice cream, mochi balls and gummy bears.